07 Aug Biomechanical Examination, How Will It Help Me?
Our feet are the foundation of our body. Any irregularities and issues with the way we move (our gait) can have far-reaching effects on our health, causing strain on certain muscles and joints and causing pain. Left unaddressed, these gait issues can lead to a wide range of issues, from foot and ankle injuries to knee, hip, and lower back problems. Moreover, if you’re an athlete, it can hinder your upcoming summer sports activities and sideline you for the season. This is why it’s important to have your gait examined by doing a biomechanical examination.
Reasons to Correct Your Gait
Improved Athletic Performance: Optimising your gait will enable you to move more efficiently and effectively and reduce the risk of injuries.
Pain Reduction: Addressing biomechanical imbalances can alleviate foot, knee, hip, and back pain, allowing you to enjoy daily activities and sports pain-free.
Injury Prevention: A balanced gait minimises the risk of overuse injuries and reduces strain on various body structures, preventing potential long-term issues.
Enhanced Stability: Correcting your gait enhances your balance and stability, crucial for maintaining proper form during sports and reducing the risk of falls.
Faster Recovery: After an injury, having a well-aligned gait with the help of custom orthotics can accelerate the healing process and aid in rehabilitation.
The Role of Custom Orthotics
At footinjuryclinic, we use the Swiss-made Orthema digital foot scanning (3D CAD/CAM technology) to design and manufacture orthotics using the Orthema milling computer at our in-house orthotic laboratory. These tailor-made shoe inserts are designed to correct biomechanical abnormalities and support your feet in a way that generic, over-the-counter shoe orthotics cannot. After doing a thorough Biomechanical Examination, our podiatrists use the results to create a perfect fit for your unique foot structure and gait.
The Benefits of Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are specifically crafted to address your unique gait issues and foot structure, providing the support your feet need. By aligning your feet properly, custom orthotics can improve foot function and alleviate stress on muscles, tendons, and joints throughout the lower body. Custom orthotics can absorb shock and reduce impact forces during walking, running, or sports activities, protecting your feet from unnecessary strain. Our custom orthotics are very comfortable to wear and can be used in everything from athletic shoes to dress shoes.
The Biomechanical Examination Process
When you visit footinjuryclinic, one of our qualified podiatrists will do a Biomechanical Examination, which is a comprehensive assessment to evaluate your foot function, gait and lower limb alignment.
They will first discuss your medical history, including any past injuries, current issues and lifestyle habits that might affect your gait. They will observe your gait, looking for any signs of overpronation, underpronation, or other irregularities in foot movement.
- They will then do a Gait Analysis where you will be asked to walk or run on a treadmill while the podiatrist analyses your gait pattern from different angles.
- Our podiatrists will also assess the structure of your feet, including arch height, foot width, and any misalignments or deformities. In most cases, we combine the use of video gait analysis with pressure plate analysis to capture precise measurements and get a comprehensive assessment of your feet. Based on the results, the podiatrist will prescribe custom orthotics that are tailored to your specific needs.
This winter, take the first step towards a better gait so that you’re all set for summer and beyond. Contact our friendly team who are always ready to help.